CCTV News:In recent years, while the application of algorithms has injected new kinetic energy into economic and social development, the unreasonable application of algorithms such as algorithm discrimination, "killing big data" and inducing addiction has also brought troubles to our lives. In response to these problems, the "Regulations on the Administration of Internet Information Service Algorithm Recommendation" jointly formulated by the National Network Information Office and other four departments was officially released on January 4, which extended a "sword" to various algorithmic chaos.
It is clear in the Regulations that the application of algorithm recommendation technology refers to providing information to users by using algorithm technologies such as generating synthesis class, personalized push class, sorting selection class, retrieval filtering class and scheduling decision class. This means that all kinds of Internet companies that provide algorithm recommendation services are almost within the scope of supervision, such as various short video platforms, e-commerce platforms, social platforms and catering take-out platforms.
Guarantee the user’s algorithm knowledge and choice.
The "Regulations" require that users’ right to know and choose algorithms should be guaranteed, and users should be provided with options that are not aimed at their personal characteristics, or the option to conveniently close the algorithm recommendation service.
Zuo Xiaodong, Vice President of China Information Security Research Institute:Using algorithm recommendation can customize different information and services for individuals, which has two risks. The first is the risk of user personal information protection. Platform operators may illegally collect and abuse citizens’ personal information. The second is the risk of algorithm manipulation. Because the information received by each of us and the services we use are customized by Internet platform operators, it may also lead to public opinion security risks. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen algorithm recommendation, which is not only the need to safeguard citizens’ personal rights and interests, but also the need to safeguard national security.
Prohibit "big data killing" to protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers
In response to the "big data killing", the "Regulations" propose that unreasonable differential treatment should not be implemented on trading conditions such as trading prices by using algorithms according to the characteristics of consumers’ preferences and trading habits.
The "Regulations" clearly stipulate that information that may cause minors to imitate unsafe behaviors and violate social ethics, induce minors’ bad habits and other information that may affect their physical and mental health shall not be pushed to minors, and algorithmic recommendation services shall not be used to induce minors to indulge in the Internet.
Zuo Xiaodong, Vice President of China Information Security Research Institute:The platform deliberately pushes specific information to minors. For example, if you know that you like reading horror novels, push them one by one.
For the elderly, it is required that the algorithm recommendation service should fully consider the needs of the elderly for travel, medical treatment, consumption and work, and should facilitate the safe use of the algorithm recommendation service by the elderly.
Improve the platform dispatching service to protect the rights and interests of workers
Before the promulgation of the Regulations, some take-away platforms used algorithms to measure the delivery time of take-away workers, which caused social controversy. The unreasonable algorithm mechanism once made take-away riders labeled as the most dangerous occupation. In view of this phenomenon, the "Regulations" proposed that relevant algorithms such as platform order allocation, remuneration composition and payment, working hours, rewards and punishments should be established and improved.
Zuo Xiaodong, Vice President of China Information Security Research Institute:Some platforms treat workers differently, and some riders earn more today, so when sending orders again, they deliberately send him a list with a long distance and low price to control his income that day.
Protecting data security, the network security review method is coming.
Another new regulation released on January 4 also focuses on maintaining data security. In order to implement the Data Security Law and other laws and regulations, 13 departments including the National Network Information Office and the National Development and Reform Commission revised and issued the Measures for Network Security Review, and the revised Measures came into force on February 15, 2022.
Network security review is required when users’ information exceeds one million to go public abroad.
According to the relevant person in charge of the National Network Information Office, the "Measures" include the situation that the data processing activities of network platform operators affect or may affect national security in the network security review, and clarify that network platform operators who have personal information of more than 1 million users must apply for network security review when going public abroad.
Zuo Xiaodong, Vice President of China Information Security Research Institute:The purpose of the review is to prevent key information infrastructure from being controlled, prevent core data, important data and a large amount of personal information from being stolen, and prevent network information security risks.
Guard against data security risks and protect national security
The Measures require that when key information infrastructure operators purchase network products and services, they should predict the possible national security risks after the products and services are put into use. If it affects or may affect national security, it shall report to the network security review office for network security review.
Zuo Xiaodong, Vice President of China Information Security Research Institute:For ordinary users, we should be aware that data security has become an important part of national security, and we should pay attention to preventing data security risks and fulfilling data security protection obligations.
China has continuously strengthened the construction of data security laws and regulations.
In recent years, China has continuously strengthened the construction of laws and regulations on network security and data security. Last year alone, two laws and one regulation were promulgated and implemented. On September 1, 2021, the Data Security Law and the Regulations on the Security Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure were officially implemented; On November 1, the Personal Information Protection Law was officially implemented.
Zuo Xiaodong, Vice President of China Information Security Research Institute:The two regulations issued today are the implementation of the provisions of the superior law, which shows that China’s laws and regulations system in this area has been continuously improved and improved, and there is a more adequate legal basis for safeguarding national network security and data security.
[CCTV Short Comment] Cultivate a vibrant ecology with the awareness of pipe network according to law
Modern life is inseparable from the Internet, and the benefits and disadvantages brought by the Internet are affecting us in reality. Then we must formulate sound rules for the development of the Internet, including criminal and civil legal provisions, including the red line of national security and public safety, including values that do not violate ethics, including the economic model that does not harm fairness and justice. In short, people should not feel that they dare to do things online. China has the largest network users in the world, and it is also forming the most impressive network economy system in the world. We must put the development of the Internet into the track of laws to follow, laws to be observed, law enforcement to be strict, and offenders to be prosecuted, and cultivate a vibrant and thriving network ecology with the awareness of building a pipe network according to law.